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BEACON’S ANNIVERSARY: The uMhlanga Rocks Lighthouse celebrated it 70th anniversary last month, having been first lit on the night of November 25, 1954. Situated on the uMhlanga Promenade, the 21-m cylindrical concrete tower is painted white, with a red top and red lantern house. The rotating lens system in the automated lighthouse produces three flashes every 20 seconds. Photograph: Transnet National Ports Authority
BEACON’S ANNIVERSARY
13th December 2024

The uMhlanga Rocks Lighthouse celebrated it 70th anniversary last month, having been first lit on the night of November 25, 1954. Situated on the uMhlanga Promenade, the 21-m cylindrical concrete... 


NATIONAL SCOURGE: South Africa finally declared the spate of food poisonings that have led to the death of more than 20 children this year national disaster. The deaths have been linked to food bought from township spaza shops containing traces of chemical compounds used in insecticides. Until municipal refuse services are dramatically improved the use of such poisons to control pests will remain a deadly threat to vulnerable residents.
NATIONAL SCOURGE
6th December 2024

South Africa finally declared the spate of food poisonings that have led to the death of more than 20 children this year national disaster. The deaths have been linked to food bought from township... 


DEBT LEAKAGE: The National Treasury plans to withhold funds from five municipalities over their unpaid water bills, with water boards currently owed R23.4-billion, more than 70% of which is four months overdue. The municipalities of Matjhabeng, Kopanong, Thabazimbi, Merafong City and Victor Khanye are set to be affected by the decision. However, national government is also helping to renegotiate repayment agreements between water boards and municipalities. Photograph: Bloomberg
DEBT LEAKAGE
29th November 2024

The National Treasury plans to withhold funds from five municipalities over their unpaid water bills, with water boards currently owed R23.4-billion, more than 70% of which is four months overdue.... 


GREENER GOLD: DRDGOLD’s R2.8-billion Tshedza hybrid electricity project in Ekurhuleni, comprising over 133 000 solar panels and 43 batteries, is providing the Ergo gold tailings retreatment operation with decarbonised, reliable and cost effective power. The Ergo plant requires stable electricity to treat gold-bearing slurry that comes into the Brakpan facility from as far afield as Soccer City, some 50 km away. Photograph: Creamer Media Chief Photographer Donna Slater
GREENER GOLD
22nd November 2024

DRDGOLD’s R2.8-billion Tshedza hybrid electricity project in Ekurhuleni, comprising over 133 000 solar panels and 43 batteries, is providing the Ergo gold tailings retreatment operation with... 


GREENER SHIPPING: City authorities in Shanghai, China, aim to convert the world’s busiest port into a centre of greener shipping. The target is to raise Shanghai’s low-carbon bunkering to over a million tons a year by 2030. China is stepping up competition with Asia’s bunkering hub of Singapore ahead of a decarbonisation plan that’s expected from the International Maritime Organisation next year.
GREENER SHIPPING
15th November 2024

City authorities in Shanghai, China, aim to convert the world’s busiest port into a centre of greener shipping. The target is to raise Shanghai’s low-carbon bunkering to over a million tons a year... 


COBALT BLUES: China’s CMOC Group, the world’s leading cobalt producer, smashed through its full-year output target last quarter after a faster-than-expected production ramp-up that affected prices for the battery material. The company produced 84 722 t of cobalt at its mines in Africa in the first nine months of 2024, beating full-year guidance of 70 000 t. The strong performance sent prices tumbling. Photograph: Bloomberg
COBALT BLUES
8th November 2024

China’s CMOC Group, the world’s leading cobalt producer, smashed through its full-year output target last quarter after a faster-than-expected production ramp-up that affected prices for the... 


HIGH ANXIETY: While millions of Americans have already voted either in-person or through mail-in ballots ahead of the November 5 Presidential elections, there is still no indication of who will win. The margin between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris is razor-thin. Anxiety levels are high both inside the country and across the world given the potential implications for the future of democracy, as well as economic and trade relations. Photograph: Bloomberg
HIGH ANXIETY
1st November 2024

While millions of Americans have already voted either in-person or through mail-in ballots ahead of the November 5 Presidential elections, there is still no indication of who will win. The margin... 


INDIA GOES FOR GRID: South Africa’s lack of grid investment is well documented, but it is by no means alone in needing to catch up. This month, the Indian government unveiled a plan to revamp its power grid to accommodate a large renewables expansion through 2032. The project, estimated to cost $109-billion, will help integrate 500 GW of renewables by the end of the decade.
INDIA GOES FOR GRID
25th October 2024

South Africa’s lack of grid investment is well documented, but it is by no means alone in needing to catch up. This month, the Indian government unveiled a plan to revamp its power grid to... 


HAND OVER: The National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA), which began trading on July 1, was officially launched on October 7. The entity is currently a subsidiary of Eskom Holdings, but will become a fully independent transmission system operator in the coming years. To symbolise the hand-over of grid responsibilities from Eskom to the NTCSA a statue of a handshake was commissioned and unveiled at a ceremony attended by (from left to right) Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, NTCSA chair Priscillah Mabelane, interim NTCSA CEO Segomoco Scheppers and Eskom Group CEO Dan Marokane.
HAND OVER
18th October 2024

The National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA), which began trading on July 1, was officially launched on October 7. The entity is currently a subsidiary of Eskom Holdings, but will become... 


ELECTRO-ECONOMY: China’s embrace of electric vehicles, wind, solar power and now green hydrogen are seen as increasingly important to the success of global efforts to tackle climate change. A new report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air suggest the country’s carbon dioxide emissions may have peaked a half-decade ahead of schedule. It also indicates that China could cut emissions by at least 30% by 2035 by continuing with policies to clean its power, mobility and steelmaking sectors. Photograph: Bloomberg
ELECTRO-ECONOMY
11th October 2024

China’s embrace of electric vehicles, wind, solar power and now green hydrogen are seen as increasingly important to the success of global efforts to tackle climate change. A new report by the... 


GREENER CEMENT: Two of the world’s biggest cement producers, Holcim and CRH, have announced a $75-million investment into Sublime Systems, of the US, which has developed an electrochemical method of cement production that avoids the process of heating up limestone with kilns powered by fossil fuels. In tests at its 250-ton-per-year pilot plant, Sublime has been able to demonstrate a 90% reduction in carbon emissions when compared with the traditional process. Photograph: Bloomberg
GREENER CEMENT
4th October 2024

Two of the world’s biggest cement producers, Holcim and CRH, have announced a $75-million investment into Sublime Systems, of the US, which has developed an electrochemical method of cement... 


CAUTIOUS MOOD: Recent volatility in the iron-ore price, which sank below $90/t for the first time since 2022 earlier this month, reflects concern about the steel crisis in China. But there is also a more cautious mood about the outlook for growth more generally, weighed down by political uncertainty in the US. However, steel-buying typically recovers after the Northern Hemisphere’s summer months, which could provide some respite. Photograph: Bloomberg
CAUTIOUS MOOD
27th September 2024

Recent volatility in the iron-ore price, which sank below $90/t for the first time since 2022 earlier this month, reflects concern about the steel crisis in China. But there is also a more cautious... 


CARBON COMPLIANCE: China plans to impose carbon-trading compliance obligations on steel, aluminium, and cement producers next year as the country extends its carbon market beyond power utilities. About 1 500 companies in those industries will be subject to market-based carbon costs if their emissions overshoot government-set targets. Photograph: Bloomberg
CARBON COMPLIANCE
20th September 2024

China plans to impose carbon-trading compliance obligations on steel, aluminium, and cement producers next year as the country extends its carbon market beyond power utilities. About 1 500... 


More than 950 exhibitors participated in the 2024 edition of the Electra Mining Africa exhibition, the highest number in the 52-year history of the biennial event. The showcase, which was held at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, alongside Soccer City, was hosted by Specialised Exhibitions across six giant halls, as well as outside exhibit areas.
MINING VIBES
13th September 2024

MINING VIBES: More than 950 exhibitors participated in the 2024 edition of the Electra Mining Africa exhibition, the highest number in the 52-year history of the biennial event. The showcase, which... 


WATER UTILITY: Legislation has been approved opening the way for a new agency to develop and manage South Africa’s water infrastructure and attract financing for new projects. The Presidency says the State-owned National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency will enable the country to expand bulk water infrastructure and improve the management of existing assets to ensure water security. Photograph: Bloomberg
WATER UTILITY
6th September 2024

Legislation has been approved opening the way for a new agency to develop and manage South Africa’s water infrastructure and attract financing for new projects. The Presidency says the State-owned... 




TUG CHRISTENING: A bottle of bubbly being smashed against the side of the Sepelong, one of five new tugboats christened at a ceremony held at the Port of Durban earlier this month. The vessels form part of Transnet National Port Authority’s (TNPA’s) R1-billion marine fleet renewal programme, which has raised the number of tugboats at the Port of Durban to 14 in a fleet of 38 across eight commercial seaports. Photograph: TNPA
TUG CHRISTENING
30th August 2024

A bottle of bubbly being smashed against the side of the Sepelong, one of five new tugboats christened at a ceremony held at the Port of Durban earlier this month. The vessels form part of Transnet... 


CROP FAILURE: Southern Africa’s El Niño-induced drought will mean that the region will need to import at least an additional three-million tons of maize in the coming months, the Famine Early Warning Systems Network has warned. Maize farmers from Angola to Zambia and Mozambique suffered the worst dry spell in more than a century during the middle of the growing season earlier this year. Photograph: Bloomberg
CROP FAILURE
23rd August 2024

Southern Africa’s El Niño-induced drought will mean that the region will need to import at least an additional three-million tons of maize in the coming months, the Famine Early Warning Systems... 


CARBON SHADOW: A new Rockefeller Foundation report warns that the world’s 72 most energy-poor nations, of which 44 are in Africa, will need to deploy 8 700 terawatt-hours of clean energy production yearly, or twice the US’s current generation, to develop and grow. But to avoid accounting for three quarters of emissions by 2050, the ‘Green Power Gap’ report also argues that they need to be given assistance to build these renewable-energy facilities.
CARBON SHADOW
16th August 2024

A new Rockefeller Foundation report warns that the world’s 72 most energy-poor nations, of which 44 are in Africa, will need to deploy 8 700 terawatt-hours of clean energy production yearly, or... 


CONTIGUOUS COPPER: Following is failed attempt to take over Anglo American in a deal primarily driven by copper, BHP has announced a joint venture with Lundin Mining to buy copper miner Filo. Besides each taking a 50% stake in the Filo del Sol copper project, in Chile, BHP will also acquire half of Lundin’s Josemaria project, just over the border in Argentina. The intention now is to combine the projects to cut costs. Photograph: Bloomberg
CONTIGUOUS COPPER
9th August 2024

Following is failed attempt to take over Anglo American in a deal primarily driven by copper, BHP has announced a joint venture with Lundin Mining to buy copper miner Filo. Besides each taking a... 


COPPER RECOVERY: Zambia’s yearly copper production will grow more than 40% to 1 million tons in 2027, the country’s Finance Ministry has reported. Zambia’s copper output hit a 14-year low of 698 566 t in 2023 as its mining sector faced tax changes and clashes with the previous government. Africa’s second-largest copper producer is seeking to take advantage of strong demand underpinned by the global energy transition. Photograph: Bloomberg
COPPER RECOVERY
2nd August 2024

Zambia’s yearly copper production will grow more than 40% to 1 million tons in 2027, the country’s Finance Ministry has reported. Zambia’s copper output hit a 14-year low of 698 566 t in 2023 as... 


HYDROGEN EXPORTS: Germany’s H2Global has agreed to import green ammonia, produced from green hydrogen, from Egypt in a bid to accelerate Europe’s energy transition. H2Global will buy at least 259 000 t of the carrier for hydrogen in the period from 2027 to 2033, from a production site in Egypt owned by the UAE’s Fertiglobe. It will then sell it at cheaper prices to companies in Europe through the support provided by H2Global to offset the difference between the buying and the selling price. Photograph: Bloomberg
HYDROGEN EXPORTS
26th July 2024

Germany’s H2Global has agreed to import green ammonia, produced from green hydrogen, from Egypt in a bid to accelerate Europe’s energy transition. H2Global will buy at least 259 000 t of the... 


PLANTATION AUTOMATION: This drone monitoring the oil palm fruits as they ripen is one of several technological solutions being deployed across Malaysian plantations that are seeking alternatives for some of the most difficult jobs, amid worker shortages and falling production. Bloomberg reports that self-driving trucks are also rumbling over the vast plantations, laying fertiliser and picking up the densely packed harvested bunches. Photograph: Bloomberg
PLANTATION AUTOMATION
19th July 2024

This drone monitoring the oil palm fruits as they ripen is one of several technological solutions being deployed across Malaysian plantations that are seeking alternatives for some of the most... 


MORE LITHIUM: Four new Argentinian lithium projects are set to enter production in the coming months, which will almost double the country’s production capacity. Built on salt lakes nestled in the Andes mountains in South America’s so-called lithium triangle, Bloomberg notes that the extra production comes when buyers are already well supplied and prices are under pressure. Photograph: Bloomberg.
MORE LITHIUM
12th July 2024

Four new Argentinian lithium projects are set to enter production in the coming months, which will almost double the country’s production capacity. Built on salt lakes nestled in the Andes... 




SUPPLY UNCERTAINTY: The global market for liquefied natural gas (LNG) faces supply uncertainty from factors including sanctions on Russian fuel, aging plants and attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, the International Gas Union warns. Gas has become an increasingly global commodity, with Europe leaning heavily on LNG to help fill the gap after Russia cut most pipeline supplies. At the same time, Asian demand has surged, leaving the market more susceptible to supply disruptions.
SUPPLY UNCERTAINTY
5th July 2024

The global market for liquefied natural (LNG) gas faces supply uncertainty from factors including sanctions on Russian fuel, aging plants and attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, the International... 


LINES AUCTIONS: The head of South Africa's Independent Power Producer Office, which oversees the public procurement of renewable energy, believes it is feasible to set up a similar agency to facilitate private investment in transmission infrastructure (see also page 14) . “It’s not going to be a cut and paste into the transmission space,” Bernard Magoro stressed at a recent conference, noting that different companies with the requisite skills would need to be encouraged to bid. Photograph: Bloomberg
LINES AUCTIONS
28th June 2024

The head of the Independent Power Producer Office, which oversees the public procurement of renewable energy, believes it is feasible to set up a similar agency to facilitate private investment in... 


EXPORT SHIFT: Volkswagen South Africa (VWSA) is sceptical about South Africa’s plans to produce electric vehicles for export to developed markets and is instead focusing on sustaining outlets for its internal combustion engine vehicles, notably the Polo, seen here being assembled at its Kariega plant. VWSA MD Martina Biene is quoted by Bloomberg as saying that Europe “won’t call on us to make battery electric vehicles” as there is enough capacity on the continent where transport costs are lower. Photograph: Bloomberg
EXPORT SHIFT
21st June 2024

Volkswagen South Africa (VWSA) is sceptical about South Africa’s plans to produce electric vehicles for export to developed markets and is instead focusing on sustaining outlets for its internal... 


FUNDING APPETITE: The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), which is headquartered in Beijing, plans to invest $1-billion in projects across Africa, where only 4% of the $52-billion it has financed since its inception eight years ago has been directed. AIIB president Jin Liqun reports it has a pipeline of seven projects in Africa, which it is seeking to build further, while there is also interest from African members to issue Panda bonds. Photograph: Bloomberg
FUNDING APPETITE
14th June 2024

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), which is headquartered in Beijing, plans to invest $1-billion in projects across Africa, where only 4% of the $52-billion it has financed since its... 


GRID AUCTIONS: An office to manage auctions of independent transmission projects could be set up at a leading South African development finance institution. Bloomberg reports that the Development Bank of Southern Africa is aiming to establish the office to bring in private funding into the deployment for the grid so as to help connect renewable generation to a network that needs to be expanded urgently to meet demand. Photograph: Bloomberg
GRID AUCTIONS
7th June 2024

An office to manage auctions of independent transmission projects could be set up at a leading South African development finance institution. Bloomberg reports that the Development Bank of Southern... 


GOLDEN AGE: The gold price is extremely sensitive to global developments and to newsflow, and the strong upward momentum in the price of the precious metal during 2024 has been underpinned by geopolitical uncertainty. This month, gold surged to an all-time dollar high, and with persistent inflation, economic pressures and central bank interest, supportive factors appear to remain in place.
GOLDEN AGE
31st May 2024

The gold price is extremely sensitive to global developments and to newsflow, and the strong upward momentum in the price of the precious metal during 2024 has been underpinned by geopolitical... 


SUBSIDY REINSTATED: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates that the reintroduction of a gasoline subsidy in Nigeria could consume almost half of the country’s projected oil revenue this year. President Bola Tinubu halted the subsidy at in mid-2023 to help government repair its finances. However, the removal and a devaluation of the naira, led fuel prices to more than triple, fanning inflation and protests. The IMF said it expects the fuel subsidy to be phased out within two years, as a cash-transfer programme was implemented to cushion poor consumers. Photograph: Bloomberg
SUBSIDY REINSTATED
24th May 2024

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates that the reintroduction of a gasoline subsidy in Nigeria could consume almost half of the country’s projected oil revenue this year. President Bola... 


COPPER LEVERAGE: A revamped minerals-for-infrastructure deal between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and China’s Sicomines is contingent on the price of copper. Under the new contract, DRC will get $324-million yearly for infrastructure projects from its Chinese partners through to 2040 as long as the copper price remains above $8000/t. If copper rises above $12000/t, 30% of the additional profit will go to financing more infrastructure. If it falls below $8 000, funding will diminish and stop altogether at $5,200/t. Photograph: Bloomberg
COPPER LEVERAGE
17th May 2024

A revamped minerals-for-infrastructure deal between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and China’s Sicomines is contingent on the price of copper. Under the new contract, DRC will get... 


COPPER IN FOCUS: There is a long way to go and there is much uncertainty, but the $39-billion bid by BHP for Anglo American certainly underlines the growing importance of copper not only to the mining majors but also a world economy undergoing an energy transition. If successful, the deal, which would exclude Anglo’s South African iron-ore and platinum assets, would create the world's biggest miner of copper, seen being produced here at Anglo’s Quellaveco mine in Peru. Photograph: Reuters
COPPER IN FOCUS
10th May 2024

There is a long way to go and there is much uncertainty, but the $39-billion bid by BHP for Anglo American certainly underlines the growing importance of copper not only to the mining majors but... 


LOGISTICS CRUNCH: Kumba Iron Ore reported a 10% fall in first quarter sales due to port equipment challenges. The Anglo American company reduced production by 2% to 9.3-million tons in line with its strategy to match output to available logistics capacity. Ore taken to port by Transnet Freight Rail was flat at 9.4-million tons, but sales declined to 8.5-million tons because of problems at the Port of Saldanha. Photograph: Reuters
LOGISTICS CRUNCH
3rd May 2024

Kumba Iron Ore reported a 10% fall in first quarter sales due to port equipment challenges. The Anglo American company reduced production by 2% to 9.3-million tons in line with its strategy to... 


WEIGHING OPTIONS: Eskom and government are considering private and foreign options to fund a R390-billion expansion of the electricity grid as more renewable generation comes online. Bloomberg reports that talks are under way on the funding of South Africa’s transmission requirements, including the potential use of money pledged by rich nations toward an energy transition and another option to tap private sources. Photograph: Bloomberg
WEIGHING OPTIONS
26th April 2024 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Eskom and government are considering private and foreign options to fund a R390-billion expansion of the electricity grid as more renewable generation comes online. Bloomberg reports that talks are... 


REMEMBERING: Rwandan President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeanette Kagame, preparing to light the Rwandan genocide flame of hope, known as the ‘Kwibuka’ (Remembering), to commemorate the 1994 Genocide at the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre in Kigali, Rwanda, on April 7. Thirty years ago more than one-million people were systematically massacred over 100 days by extremists, led by the Rwandan army and a militia known as the Interahamwe. Photograph: Reuters
REMEMBERING
19th April 2024

Rwandan President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeanette Kagame, preparing to light the Rwandan genocide flame of hope, known as the ‘Kwibuka’ (Remembering), to commemorate the 1994 Genocide at the... 


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Magazine round up | 13 December 2024
Magazine round up | 13 December 2024
13th December 2024

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